Physically Disabled Veterans Turkey HuntDespite the not-so accommodating weather, thirty-nine physically disabled hunters took to the woods and fields of Camp Ripley April 19 to 21 for the 7th annual Physically Disabled Veterans Turkey Hunt.
Twenty of these Veterans hunted from wheelchairs, and participating veterans served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Iraq and Afghanistan.
Co-sponsored by the St. Cloud VA Health Care System, the Minnesota Army National Guard-Camp Ripley, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the turkey hunt is offered to physically disabled Veterans to honor their service by providing an outdoor opportunity that might otherwise not be available to them.
Thanks to the generous financial support provided by various Minnesota Veterans organizations, sportsmen’s clubs and outdoor retailers, the hunt is offered at no cost to participants, said Dennis Erie, an event organizer from the St. Cloud VA.
In all respects, the event mirrors the sights, sounds, smells and experiences associated with any hunting camp!
The three-day events begins with registration, and then participants and their hunting partners are provided an opportunity to test fire their hunting arms and scout their assigned hunting locations on Camp Ripley. The first evening included a welcome dinner with Col. Scott St. Sauver, Commander of the Camp Ripley military installation.
The second day of this year’s hunt began, as usual, before dawn, with participants gathering for breakfast. Stepping outside to travel to the hunting areas at 5 a.m., the participants were presented with 2 inches of fresh snow. While the snow was not a welcome sight, the hunters bundled up and headed out to the hunt. By noon, however, the snow had melted and reports of success were coming into the camp headquarters. By the end of the first day of hunting, eight hunters had bagged a turkey.
Following a dinner at the nearby Randall VFW Club, the hunters rested up for a second day of hunting.
Better weather greeted the hunters on the third day of the hunt, and an additional eight hunters bagged a turkey.
As the hunters gathered belongs and prepared to depart, more than several were heard to remark that they hoped they were selected to hunt again.
Events supporters include the following Minnesota Veterans’ organizations: American Legion & Auxiliary; Disabled American Veterans & Auxiliary; Veterans of Foreign Wars & Auxiliary; Veterans 4 Veterans Foundation; and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Additional support for the hunt was provided by: Minnesota National Wild Turkey Federation; Rice Sportsman’s Club; Sauk Rapids Sportsman’s Club; Minnesota Patriot Guard - Riders; Minnesota BPOE (ELKS); Midwest Outdoors Unlimited; Gander Mountain; and Cabala’s Sporting Goods.
Photo on Home Page L/R: SSG Josh Zoccoli, Bob Olean, Gary Morris
Photo on story page Backrow L/R:Tom Newman from MN American Legion, El Mrozek from MN DAV Department, Thomas Kramin from MN Elks, Tom Tolando from MN DAV, Tom Lannon American Legion Commnader, Randy Tesdahl MN American Legion State Adjudant.
http://www.stcloud.va.gov/features/Physically_Disabled_Veterans_Turkey_Hunt.asp 
Front row L/R: SSG Justin Goff, Richard Martin, Todd Fairbanks MN NWTF
